Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a TV Talk Show Host, Speaker, Writer, and Advocate who writes and speaks on a variety of important issues affecting animals on a local, national and international level. She has done interviews on tv, radio, in newspapers and also has given speeches. Creating awareness of these important topics is key to implementing action to help animals according to Tina. She also likes to inform people of organizations and people who help animals. Tina also delves into her own personal experiences with animals. If you have a topic or tip, please feel free to contact Tina at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com

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Do rescues force people to adopt / buy elsewhere?

This is Kiera, a Shep/Dane/Lab/Miscellaneous mix of a dog. Isn’t she a stunning puppy? This beaut of a dog belongs to a friend of mine. Kiera has found the perfect home with my friend who volunteered for a local cat rescue for nearly 15 years. She gave her time, money, energy and love for animals to help the homeless and abandoned in Berks County, PA for a long time. She was and is still involved as a rescuer but to a smaller degree. Kiera has a great home and my friend couldn’t be happier with her new puppy. So what’s the problem? As the late radio broacaster, Paul Harvey, would say, “Now, The Rest of the Story.”

My friend, who I will refer to as Jane to protect her identity, was looking to adopt a dog last December. Jane was seeking a young, female adult dog who had to be kid, cat and dog- friendly. As a rescuer, a literal lifesaver to many animals, Jane has other pets and she wanted the transition of adding a new pet to the family to work out well. It was imperative that the new dog meet the requirements. There are literally millions of pets in shelters and rescues all around this country waiting to be adopted. There shouldn’t be a problem finding a dog that fit her specifications. Guess again!

My friend no longer lives in Berks County but in another area of Pennsylvania full of countryside where you’ll find rolling hills for miles and snow-covered lawns since last December. This area is also populated with dogs who are regularly seen tied outside without a blink of an eye by animal control. Sadly, it’s commonplace and nothing is being done to eradicate the tethering of dogs 24/7. Beyond pathetic, in my opinion.

Jane and her husband were ready to adopt/rescue another dog after one of their beloved dogs passed away and wanted another dog for their other older female dog. Their journey went into full swing when Jane found a dog through a local rescue. Jane emailed the woman in charge, a person she had encountered in her rescuing days, and asked her if this dog was kid- friendly and cat-tested. The response to Jane’s question was, “Ella is a nice dog.” Huh? So Jane and her husband went to the shelter the following week.

Don’t forget, this is wintertime and the roads were too icy so they had to return home. Jane emailed her after she was home and told her they would make the trip again when the roads were cleared. That woman never responded to the email. To get animals adopted, shelters and rescues must have good communication skills. Too many animals are euthanized already. Here was a golden chance of Ella finding a good home and this rescue blew it. Fortunately, Jane discovered Ella did find a home.

As Jane checked out more rescues, she came across one in Pittsburgh and emailed it for an adoption form. She received it a week later- all SIX pages! Adopting is serious business. Everyone involved in saving animals’ lives wants to see each animal go to a good home but six pages. Jane filled out the entire application and NEVER heard from the rescue. Jane emailed the rescue three times and never received one response. Once again, poor communication skills does not help any rescue or shelter. This says more about the rescue than it does about my friend. She complied with their request. You need to talk to prospective adopters even if you don’t feel they are a good match for the pets you have.

Jane found a shep rescue in NY state. They refused to adopt to her because she wanted a female dog. Jane already has a female dog. They won’t do same-sex adoptions. Seriously? What is wrong with these rescues?

The next place was another rescue also in New York. This place wanted Jane to fence in her 11 acres of land. Really?

Another rescue near Harrisburg told Jane she had too many cats. All of the are cats she has are rescues with their lives being saved by her. Jane was completely honest with these rescues but to her detriment.

What should have been an exciting time for the family was turning into a nightmare she never could have imagined. I’m exasperated for Jane as I write about her ordeal. I might find it unbelievable had it not been Jane who endured this mess.

I know this woman and she worked her butt off to help animals in need for many years. To be rejected or ignored as a potential adopter is irrational and illogical on the part of the rescues.

Jane contacted another rescue in New York and hey, guess what, they answered her and responded to her application. The woman was especially nice. It was about time someone was responsive to Jane. The timing was off.

There was another place that was extremely nice and responsive to Jane. This place is located in Kentucky. Yes, you read correctly. At this juncture, Jane had contacted one of her former allies as a rescuer who knew people at the Bowling Green/ Warren County Humane Society. A woman from this Humane Society contacted Jane immediately. As Jane told this woman the interest she had in a few dogs from their website, together they decided on a puppy named, Kiera. Jane had to fill out a short application and Kiera was now marked “adopted” and waited to be transported to Pennsyvlania.

Kiera was spayed with a spay tattoo, microchipped, health certified, utd on shots, dewormed and dosed with Revolution. Her adoption fee was $100. There was no hassle.

Why does someone have to look to Kentucky to find a pet when there are plenty of rescues in the keystone state? Jane looked to rescues to find a shep dog to add to her family.

More people are complaining about adopting from rescues stating some of their requirements are too stringent making it more difficult for people to adopt from them. I understand rescues want the best homes for their pets.

Private rescue groups, especially breed-specific ones, can and are more picky with the adopters. Greyhound adoption is said to have the toughest requirements to pass. Rescue groups typically rely on people fostering the animals in their homes vs a shelter who has thousands of animals entering their doors each year. Shelters make it easier to adopt, but not always.

People have told me their request to adopt was turned down and this forced them to buy from a pet store. This move only helps the puppy mill industry. Puppies found in pet stores are from filthy, disgusting commercial kennels aka puppy mills.

I’ve also read numerous stories similar to Jane’s about rescues. When rescues turn people away without any explanation, some say they are being pushed into buying from pet stores, breeders and the internet.

After hearing Jane’s story, I could see how someone would do just that. Fortunately, Jane has been rescuing animals and she would never do that. Sadly, others will and the mothers and fathers in puppy mills pay the ultimate price to pump out more puppies for consumers. It’s a never ending cycle.

Ironically, Jane has a friend who was also looking for a shep/shep mix at the same time. She ran into the same issues that Jane endured. Unfortunately, her friend gave up after being rejected repeatedly and ended up traveling to Lancaster, PA and picked out a shep puppy from a broker called Greenfield Puppies. This place is a notorious puppy mill!!! As I said, it’s a vicious cycle.

What is the solution, in your opinion? Should rescues make it easier to adopt? Or do you think rescues should make you jump through hoops so that animal that is looking for a forever home finds the one that is most appropriate? Do you think rescues force people to adopt or buy pets from less reputable places such as Greenfield Puppies?

Jane’s last thought is to continue to tell people to “Please Adopt!” She doesn’t want anyone to become disenchanted with the strict regulations and lack of communication. She doesn’t want people to give up but keep trying. She thinks you may have better luck with humane societies and SPCA’s. They’re overloaded with animals and are desperate t find good homes for their animals.

What do you think? Have you had any experiences with rescues? Feel free to share your thoughts.

Why would Jane’s friend go to a puppy mill?? Plus she knows about puppy mills and she went to Greenfields. Puppy mills won’t go out of business if people keep buying from pet stores and the puppy mills directly. Why did she do that? IT NEVER ENDS! THESE POOR DOGS SUFFER AND NEVER GET A BREAK FROM PRODUCING MORE PUPPIES. IF THERE’S NO DEMAND, THERE WILL BE NO PUPPY MILLS. I’M ALSO SICK AND TIRED OF CELEBRITIES WALKING AROUND WITH THEIR TINY PURSE DOGS. WHERE DO YOU THINK THEY CAME FROM?

Did you read the article? Go back and read it again. The rescue made it impossible for her to adopt. It was her first choice. I am currently going through exactly the same thing – and I tell you, I am ready to go to the breeders. I want a dog. Like the author, I have experience with owning various animals and fostering dogs. The rescue treats you like they are doing you a favour and are not worthy of their precious treasures. I have filled out more forms and been asked more personal questions than any job interview I’ve ever attended. Get off your high horse. People have only so much patience for bureaucratic and sanctimonious nonsense. Peace out.

Agreed! I am currently in the process of trying to adopt but it has been a never ending cycle of nightmares and heartbreak. Of the 15+ organizations I have contacted, only two have contacted me back. The first blatantly lied about the background of a dog that was aggressive and a biter. The one I am now in contact with has decided they are God and the rest of us mere mortals are unfit. Despite a lengthy application and an interview, this rescue has now taken 25 applications for this one dog. Any attempt by me to get an update has been met with hostility. And that’s only when she (rescue owner) feels like you are worthy of a reply. I got a verbal spanking from her today by email because I was curious as to the status–adopted or not? I was promptly told that I was in consideration, but that my application was still in the running, however, mine differed in no way from the other 24 applications and I wasn’t special in any way. In addition to that, I was told if I didn’t like their process, ,to let me know, and they’d cease considering me. She refuses to tell me how long her process is, only that it involves a phone interview (done), application (done), meet and greet, and then a home visit. She has made it perfectly clear I am not to question her again and any attempts to get an update will just render my application revoked. I respect wanting to place a dog in the best home possible, but when you have qualified, caring applicants, you CHOOSE one for the sake of the dog. At this point, she is holding on to dogs based on her intense scrutiny while she could be placing them in a home and making room for more dogs at her rescue. It’s been two weeks and I haven’t made it to the meet and greet stage. I talked to another applicant who made it to the meet and greet, but she can’t get any answer (yes or no) from the rescue. It’s extremely frustrating and we are considering locating a breeder instead.

I just had to put my 12 year young bloodhound down due to a battle with cancer and thought about getting another dog,so i looked into the rescue program,after filling out adoption form after adoption forms and no replies i guess i will go back to buying a puppy.why, why ,why? wont they call or email back?

I’ve had bad experiences with a couple of rescues. I don’t think that speaks for the majority of rescues. I felt they were too stringent with their rules and regulations. I understand why and they want the best for a homeless animal. We don’t live up to their high expectations but that doesn’t mean we make bad pet owners. It’s a tough call.

I’ve always gone to shelters to adopt my pets. I’ve never tried a rescue and after reading this I don’t think I want to. It seems awfully difficult to adopt. I love all of my pets. None of them are perfect and some have health issues. Wouldn’t trade any one of them. There’s no reason for me to go to a rescue.

Greyhound rescues are quite difficult to adopt from. Greyhounds need a home where the people understand the breed. They will run. It’s what they were taught to do. If you don’t have a fenced-in yard, they won’t adopt to you. Greyhounds have been known to run and not stop until caught. They’re used for racing by scum of the earth people who don’t give a damn about the dogs. These rescues are only looking out for the dogs and wanting what’s best.

Rescues are set up to ensure any animal they have goes to the best home for that particular pet. They match the right pet with the right owner. Sometimes, the pet they want isn’t the right fit. We try to ensure the best possible fit and make sure their home, family and living situation is right for the pet. This pet is going to live their for the rest of his or her life. Don’t you want to see a pet in the right home instead of any home. So, you may have to wait a bit longer. Is that a high price to pay when you will have the pet for the rest of his/her life? Come on. These are living, breathing animals, not toys. We aren’t shelters who adopt to anyone like some are run. They are overrun and want to get homes for the strays. If they don’t, they will have to kill those who no one looks at. We do have the luxury of not having to do that. We take pride in wanting what’s best for the pet not rushing to get a home because their life may be taken by a lethal injection or in other cases, the gas chamber.

It’s your choice. You don’t have to go to rescues. There are enough shelters out there to adopt from.

Then why is it that I had filled out about 10 long applications and sent out even more inquiries via email, made a number of phone calls and only got 3 responses. What’s with not responding in any way? We just lost our German shepherd who died at age 14. We own a house, have fenced backyard, have 11 years experience with the breed. At first I didn’t think much of this no communication weirdness. Now, a month later I am shocked. I even went to my vet and he and the staff told me very discouraging stories about adopting from the rescue groups. Now I started reading all these stories and it’s not right. I have a good home and a good life waiting for a dog but the rescue groups are not interested. The 3 that replied denied me instantly because I have a 3 year old. It’s starting to look like the only way to get a dog is buy one. But I don’t want to buy one. I don’t believe in buying one. I believe in adopting a dog. I want to give my children a childhood with a dog in their lives. So what happens now?

They are too strict. While I would want to make sure any animal would go to a safe and good home, I wouldn’t make the people jump through hoops to adopt. By all means, do the necessary work to ensure that safe home but don’t force people to do ridiculous things in order to adopt. I know people who have gone to breeders because rescues refused them. I know these people and they make good owners for pets. Rescues have the luxury of waiting for homes. The people who run them foster their animals in people’s homes. A shelter is forced to euthanize because too many people drop off their unwanted pets. The rescues don’t have the burden that shelters do.

I will never attempt to adopt from a rescue ever again. They told me my house wasn’t big enough. Another one said I worked too many hours. Another one said I must have a fence despite me walking my dogs on a leash all of the time. I felt I was being interrogated by another. I understand they want the best and safest home for their animals. If they speak to my references, they will vouch how much I love my pets. My pets are my kids. I would do anything for them. It’s almost as if they don’t want to find good homes. They make it nearly impossible and make the potential adopter as if they’re not good enough. I know I’m a good parent to my pets. I’ve had enough of them. I still wouldn’t buy from a pet store, breeder or the internet. I know better. I think they need to re-think the manner in which they try to adopt. It scares away people.

I’m glad Jane adopted Kiera. She is a beautiful. More animals are euthanized in southern states. It probably is inconceivable to people here that she would adopt so far away but not to me. A life was saved. That’s what matters! Shame on the rescues for ignoring Jane.

I was turned away from a local cat rescue because I already had a tortoiseshell cat- they said torti’s don’t get along with other cats. Their loss- I got a fantastic cat from the ARL. The torti loves her.

Whoa, wait a minute. Why did Jane have to adopt a dog from Kentucky? There are alot of shelters between here or wherever she lives and Kentucky. Do you mean to tell me that no shelter had a shep puppy or female adult shep? I find that difficult to believe? It sounds like the rescues suck (sorry, but that’s the way I see it) to be so strict but shelters have dogs all the time. I’ve always seen sheps at shelters I visited in Pennsylvania. What gives, Jane?

I resent the accusations being flung at rescues. We’re looking out for what ‘s best for the animal. What is wrong with that? We want to be assured the pet will have not only a forever home but a safe and loving home. So what if it takes longer than adopting from a shelter. Don’t you want what’s best for the pet?

I don’t know why some of these rescues didn’t return Jane’s emails or calls? Perhaps they read something on her application that was a red flag. Maybe she has too many animals. I don’t know. Maybe they’re too busy. If there’s no legitimate reason, I find that inexcusable too.

Just because a few rescues didn’t work out, doesn’t mean the rest of them are bad. This is about the pets.

This is NOT just about the pets. This is about PEOPLE and FAMILIES……and , unfortunately, its about these organizations MAKING MONEY through donations (plucking the heart strings of people that want to do good and “support a dog/cat’s cost of care”)
I have seen some of these places. I did not realize that a brand new one ton truck or SUV was required to transport GSDs or their food. “Rescue” owners with more “bling” than a rodeo queen!
Our Lucky Dog lived with us for 13 years. At age 15 we were forced to put him to sleep because we were told that he would probably not survive the surgery required for bloat and if he did we would have to limit his activity. He was a GSD. “Limiting his activity” would have broken his heart. The experience of leaving the vets with a family member who, just hours before had been his lively and boisterous self, in a blanket to take home and bury is excruciatingly painful. Our children still put flowers and notes (telling him how much they miss him) a couple of times a week on his grave which is complete with headstone. We loved him and took very good care of him. I am lucky enough to work from home and Lucky was never without us. Never left at home alone and I RARELY ever went anywhere without him. He had the unique roll of child AND loving gaurdian. We didn’t make him a guard dog, he chose that roll because he loved us too.
Now, almost a year later, we have begun to look for another GSD to adopt. Rescues and shelters are the right places to go……right? Well, in our area, the shelters have all been turned over to donation supported rescue organizations and foster care home rescues. The application process is INCREDIBLE. The place where Lucky lived….the children that Lucky played with and the home that Lucky had is NOT GOOD ENOUGH! The yard (5 acres surrounded by horse fencing) is too large and a new dog could go out back and dig under the fence while I’m not looking or get trampled by a horse. Horses are notorious dog eaters you know! The children are too young. I don’t know how they survived Lucky because all GSDs are notorious children eaters….I never knew! Our two oldest were 7 and 3 when Lucky came to live with us…. how did they survive!?! Oh and we MUST be lying about our dogs never being left alone…..who does that right? Its called FORETHOUGHT people. Grocery shopping happens in the evening when its cool during the summer and a coffee can filled with fresh water is always in the vehicle for Lucky. I bring juice for the kids….why wouldn’t I think about Lucky? Doctor visits and things like that always require a babysitter (we never have one that isn’t family) or dad stays home with the kid(s) and Lucky. It isn’t hard for us. He was FAMILY. A new GSD would not be just a dog. He would become family just the way Lucky did. When we found Lucky he was a wanderer /runner. He stopped running for us. Our vet told us that was extrodinary. We thought we were a good dog family. Obviously the “rescues” or “animal recyclers” don’t think so.
So now what do we do? We find a REPUTABLE breeder and buy a “less desireable” show GSD. No bother to us really. We aren’t looking for stand up ears, Lucky’s were floppy It’s all in the eyes anyway
Amazingly …..the price of a non-breedable, non-showable show dog is right there with the PRICE of a rescue GSD and some of the breeders charge less! They also come neutered FREE of charge.
I WISH that we could adopt. We just aren’t good enough.

Caught this on anther site about animal rescues. I keep reading the smae complaints. This what someone else wrote.
“Maybe they should re evaluate their guidelines for allowing pet adoption…I looked into adopting a couple of cats or kittens and was told b/c I have a 9 month old and a 4 & 5 year old I could not b/c they don’t like people with younger children adopting…TOO bad for them I got a kitten from a relative and my kids absolutely love her…not to mention the cat and dog I already had…again if people aren’t adopting they need to figure out why and maybe they will see they have too many stipulations!”

They don’t want to adopt to a home because they have younger children. I think it ‘s great for kids to grow up with pets. It helps to teach them compassion.

The reasons are bizarre after I researched it. It seems they look for all types of excuses NOT to adopt. Then they want to complain if they’re forced to eutanize.

Why didn’t Jane adopt from a shelter and not a rescue in her area? If they have tethered dogs in the area, doesn’t seem like the local shelter really cares about animals and would be more lenient to adopt than a local rescue. She said it herself at the end that adopting from a humane society or spca could be a better fit than a rescue. Why didn’t you adopt from a local shelter, Jane?

My question would be why didn’t the rescues stand up for the dogs that were being tethered? Surely they see such things? Do they turn a blind eye? Is it only the shelter’s responsibilities?? If rescues cared that much about saving animals they would get involved and take action. After all, the rescues receive a fair number of their animals from the shelters, so they are going to get involved sooner or later.

You better believe they do! I don’t blame Jane for looking elsewhere. That’s rude not to call her back or reply to her emails. What is wrong with them? I wouldn’t trust adopting from them. It doesn’t send a good message for other rescues or to the people who are thinking of adopting from one. I can’t believe the one rescue wouldn’t do same-sex adoptions! That’s a new one I’ve never heard of. Are they for real to suggest that? I’ve heard of alot of reasons why they don’t adopt and they’re wacky! It isn’t about being only stringent. It’s about abnormal thinking. It’s too strange. You’re better off adopting from a shelter. You have a large variety of animals from which to choose. Bizarre. Strange. Kooky.

I can’t blame Jane for looking outside of PA if she had no luck in PA. Not returning phone calls or emails is sloppy and there’s no excuse for it. I wouldn’t want to adopt from a group that is run so poorly. What if there was a problem. They don’t get back to you so what’s the point. I don’t understand their deal and how they operate. I don’t even know how they adopt if they’re turning people off to their rescue. Maybe one person said one thing about Jane and it got circulated. Shelters and rescues do help each other. These places have a “do not adopt list”. Not saying Jane’s name was on that but sometimes, they can get so picky that the slightest infraction according to them wold cause them not to adopt to them and they spread the word. I don’t know. It’s only a thougth. More often than not, their strict, strict rules will only allow a few to pass so they can adopt. Sounds as if Jane is a good “mom” to her pets. Why the rescues turned her away is beyond puzzling. Sounds too weird. In the animal world of shelters and rescues, trust me, there are too mnay weird people running these places. In fact, some of these people need to seriously get out of this business. They don’t have the best interest of the pets at heart.

I adopt from a reputable breeder. She stays in contact with me and answers all my questions. It’s worth the cost because of the caring she has for my dog and for me. She makes sure it’s a right fit for pet and owner. How many shelters do that. Yes, she has rules but she works with me so I can have a pet. Rescues work against you in some instances. Not right nor fair!

Your comment is two years old, so you probably won’t see this reply, but I just wanted to say that although I think it’s a great pity, you seem to be completely right. For me, it’s not a matter of cost. I would actually be willing to pay MORE for a rescue dog (ie- $1,200 to $1,500), if I knew I was saving a dog’s life. But the trouble is, with all the roadblocks they put up, their rules prevent so many people from even being considered (in my case, because I live in a rural location that is outside the zone where nearby shelters will do home visits). So, indeed, the myopic rules created by the various rescues have only one result: they drive well-meaning families directly into the arms of breeders or pet shops! I will be giving up soon and doing just that. It will break my heart when I know there are dogs out there that need me, but many of the “rescue people”, in many respects, are just as bad as the ones running the puppy mills. They like to think of themselves as the self-righteous saviours, but by denying adoptions to so many loving families as we see on threads like this one and elsewhere, they are allowing other dogs to die.

Adopted a husky mix about a month ago from a rescue group. Wanted another dog for my other husky to play with. I asked if the dog had any issue that I should know about and was told no. First night he pee inside the house and just thought that he was adjusting to the new home. When went to feed them and found out the hard way that this dog had food aggression. Called the group and told them out right that nothing was said about the food aggression. This dog still pees inside and I have tried everything. Treating like a puppy taking him out 2-4 hours to kennel training. Called the group again and they will not call me back. There are other major issues with this dog that they never told me about it.

After this I won’t adopt again. I’ll just get a puppy from the breeder where I got my other dog. They had a contract for me to sign and always answered my questions to this date. My other husky is 3 years old and the breeder stills answers my questions. Sometimes she will call just to see how he is doing. That is someone how cares about the breed.

I just started looking for a rescue dog and an emailed interaction with a foster home rocked my world. Ive never felt so judged by someone who barely knows me. The application was extremely long and they required pics of my family and my apt. I was so offended by the questions this woman asked and the tone of her email that im losing the want to rescue. im just glad someone else has experienced what I have

I am beyond frustrated with rescues and have actually started lobbying for more oversight-we need some more control over this industry and how money is granted to these groups. It’s sad. We found a dog that was perfect for us, emailed the rescue… sent an application… emailed again…. emailed again… and again…. NOTHING. No phone to contact. Pathetic and frustrating. We even emailed the listing agency- a well known one. No response.

The problem is they are not a business and thus as long as some money comes in through grants and donations- there is no reprisal for unfair adoption policy.

I agree that it is time that some of these rescue agencies be given the same interrogation they give potential Loving adopters.

example: about a month ago i found out how so many of these kittens are “rescued” it goes like this. trap neuter spay return and STEAL the Mothers babies before the kittens have had a chance to have they’re Mothers Milk. THE EXCUSE… “were saving them from becoming feral” that is a LIE. The Truth THEY WANT TO GET A HOLD of them ASAP even before they’re immune systems are developed MULTI VACCINATE Them (even if the titers can’t indicate a True Negative or Positive for feline lukemia. THEN HOARD them in CAGES t to be put on DISPLAY. ever notice the runny noses and drooping eyes in these precious little ones when you walk by THESE RESCUE GROUPS? no it’s not “A COLD” its from the TOXIC VACCINES. one of these “rescue groups” who INSISTS ON ALL THESE VACCINE even for indoor cats along with MICRO CHIPPING then said the following’ cats live 8 -10 years” I told her that is very young for a cat and i bet it’s from those VACCINATIONS YOU STICK in Them all at once. not to mention the diets that follow while they wait adoption from the APPROVAL OF THESE PEOPLE OF THE LIE. I would never feed my cats the FRISKIES DRY FOOD CRAP that THEY DO. Especially after THEY NEUTERED often too young.

I am a middle aged stay at home mom with teen aged children, no other pets, one acre of property, and a 4,500 square foot home. We are wealthy, and can buy a pet anything it wants or needs. Also, my husband and I are both physicians. We were looking for a dog, and everyone told us to adopt a shelter pet. I thought, WHY NOT? It seemed like the decent thing to do, and maybe the dog would already be house trained besides! Long story short, multiple attempts, no dog. I would never adopt a shelter pet now. But I am recovering from the experience and I don’t know if I can deal with the pet search again. But if I did, it would be a breeder, not a shelter. NEVER AGAIN, I feel insulted and humiliated. These people are PSYCHOS.

Exactly, many of them are just that. They are self-absorbed to a degree that they’ve completely lost sight of the big picture. Denying adoptions to a loving family results in the DEATH of another dog!! Why they’re too stupid to see that is beyond me. Sure, they need to be careful with whom they adopt to, but they are WAY over the top. It forces people to go to a breeder or a pet store, and then another dog’s life is purchased, and the loser is the unwanted shelter dog that needs to be killed, all because the rescue group wouldn’t allow the adoptive family to connect with the unwanted dog. ABSURD BLINDNESS!!!

We have had a nightmare of a time trying to adopt through a rescue! First our ten acres needed to be fenced, then when we agreed to fence a small area, we were told we weren’t right because the dog has enjoyed his fosters’ other animals and we don’t have any pets. When we asked them to reconsider, we were told there were 18 other applicants for this dog and that we were not the right family for him. Lo and behold it is 3 months later and he is still available on their site. Unbelievable! I believe they feel no one is good enough for this poor dog!

I haven’t experienced the invasive protocol many seem so rilled up about. However I adopted once and actually spent well over $3,000.00 in medical and behavioral expenses. It’s relatively easy to adopt at my shelter but they are more so money hungry and would sell a sick puppy rather than pay the local vet to cure it. Pure laziness on their behalf. Needless to say after being told that I was a bad owner for returning the dog, even though I explained I’m on the verge of going bankrupt, I was made to feel as if I was an unacceptable pet owner and thus made a wide berth around shelters. The rescues and shelters can keep their neurotic animals and PEOPLE. I’m going to a more trusted source.

I just had two separate incidences with applying to overly restrictive and ultimately insulting local rescue organizations. I have had animals all my life. I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve made some mistakes in judgement when having good intentions to adopt. So yes, I have had some “re-homes” and a few surrenders in my 57 years. Some out of ignorance and some through taking in strays. And boy do I wish I’d made different decisions at times. On the other hand, I know I’ve given lots of love and a wonderful home to a number of equally wonderful cats and dogs. But then sometimes, you’re in a situation that’s out of your control, which I was in 2008 in the case of two cats I surrendered right before I relocated and then later lost my home in foreclosure and declared bankruptcy. I had twisted my mother’s arm to take one of the cat’s that I was closest to and had some 11 years (the other was originally a stray but I’d had her for about 7 years.) So my mom did take my Bandi, but after a few weeks said she couldn’t keep him and then I couldn’t get back from Maryland to Florida to get him. I was utterly heartbroken. Fortunately, I was able to take my dog Lola, (adopted from a shelter at 2 mos old) who is still in my life and we are both doing great now. If you are honest in your application, re-homes or surrenders (along with a whole host of other reasons) are black marks against you with some of these private rescue groups The best advice that I can give others who are looking to adopt is to check out rescue groups BEFORE you even fall in love with one of their animals at an adoption event or online. If they have their application online, then read it over CAREFULLY. If any of the application questions would be answered by you in what could potentially be a less than positive way, then it could be used to reject you. If there’s no application to view online, then call them and question them carefully about their adoption process. And with many of these groups, they ask many questions so there are so many ways they may reject you.

I don’t think adoptions should be EASY and applicants should be questioned about whether adopting is a good idea for them if: they cannot give the dog or cat much time, don’t have a fenced yard for a dog, cannot afford regular vet care, would put the animal in a stressful situation or dangerous environment, have unrealistic expectations, etc.

Having said that though, the FBI-like screening and excessive requirements of some rescue groups often go way, way, beyond trying to assure that the animal will be well taken care of or is appropriate for the owner or family for the long-term. Many of these overly select groups should be taken to task in a public way and their policies and adoption processes questioned more often. Outside of that, in most communities, especially large metropolitan ones, there are usually other animal rescue groups (often more public than private) that won’t demand ridiculous requirements be met or use interrogation-style applications that eliminate many good and deserving people.

Same here! I absolutely agree with rescue groups being far too stringent with their policies and the lack of people/communication skills. The judgmental condescending attitudes are very present, it’s hard to not feel judged when going through application process! Years ago I wanted to ” do the right thing” and adopt. Began searching for a shepherd or close mix and was immediately discouraged since I had a young child and my yard wasn’t fenced. I walked miles daily with stroller and badly wanted a dog to join us and make me feel safer wandering around.
I visited shelters regularly hoping to find a suitable dog. But most were pit bull mixes, which I was not interested in owning. Eventually I gave up and bought a shepherd pup from a pet shop. Wrong I know, but I was discouraged from adopting, and when I met him I just immediately bonded with him! That was nearly seven years ago and he has been amazing! He was excellent with my daughter, easy to train, great with other pets, I socialized him extensively w other dogs and people. He went on daily long walks. Now we go hiking weekly for several miles.
I know all the reason not to do this and wouldn’t recommend it generally, but it worked out very well for us. He is very handsome and I have had zero health issues with him. At seven years people are always amazed at how great he looks. He is very athletic, no hip issues. His temperament is fabulous too! No real behavior issues, he’s a lot of dog, but very responsive. That’s why I wanted a German shepherd!
Eventually I found a stunning long coated female shep ata county shelter and snapped her up immediately, about five years ago. No rigorous screening process. Just a couple references, proof of residence, background check, and a low fee for spay. If a rescue group grabbed her before I did, they would no doubt charge at least triple and find a zillion reasons why my home was unsuitable. She is absolutely perfect! And she loves hiking off leash! Another big no no if adopting.
I just bought a male shiloh shepherd puppy from an excellent breeder. I knew I wanted this breed and they aren’t even available as a rescue! Of course I will adopt another shepherd from a shelter eventually, but I absolutely refuse to deal with any of the rescue groups. Unfortunately where I am now, it’s very difficult to find a good family dog in local shelters that isn’t a pitbull mix. I visit regularly but other than little dogs, they are always flooded with pits.,
I have known several people who buy puppies because they don’t want a pit with unknown background as a first dog for their family. They also have been discouraged by rescue groups. Not trying to start a pitbull debate! Just not my breed!

i had to put down my 12 year young bloodhound due to a battle with cancer and was going to look at some puppies but thought i would check out the rescue program, filled out all the forms and never got any replies and keep on losing out on all the dogs that i was looking at so i guess i will go back to look for a puppies for sale,thats ashame because i really feel bad about those dogs looking for a home,breaks my heart, come on you rescue shelters call back and answer the people that fill out the forms or something needs to change.

Ita comforting in a way to have found all of these comments. After losing our 14 year old dog, who was truly our baby, in June we decided it was time for a new canine companion. I’m completely against buying a dog so we began our search for a rescue dog. After all millions of dogs need a good home. How hard could it be? How naive was I!? Long invasive application after the next, some charging just to apply. More often than not no reply. Then the denials for minuscule reasons. I went into this appreciating and valuing what these rescues do and I still do in a sense, however I now see why so many people get discouraged and turn to buying a dog. We’ll be going to an SPCA instead. The humane society also won’t adopt to us since they have a blanket policy of not adopting to families with children under 5.

Encountered the same problem trying to adopt a dog through Petfinder. I’ve only had rescues and was looking for my next dog when my Pit mix died. I filled out numerous applications online and only heard back once from one group and never heard back again. I had no clue this is the way they work and could not understand what the problem was. Now I understand. Yes, I live in an apartment and yes, I am out of the house for a few hours a day on a regular basis and yes, I am over 60 and yes, I even asked for some consideration relating to the fee, but really?

Finally went to the NYC Center for Animal Care and Control and next day brought a thin unresponsive Morky home who has turned into the most amazing little bundle of love and energy. She is totally loved and pampered and happy. What better could these rescue groups ask for the animals they take in?

Thanks so much for the article! Sad to say I am happy to hear I am not alone on this. I have just started the hunt for the right dog to bring into our family (and home for them). It’s already feeling very disappointing & discouraging. Our last dog was from a rescue, he was absolutely amazing. And the experience of adopting him was also, He made our lives better than I could imagine and as my friends remind me we also did the same for him. I am determined to find the right match and have it work out. Wish me luck and for all of us to improve the system for adopting pets into loving homes.

I work with a cat rescue in Alberta Canada. What I don’t understand is that people tell us they want to adopt or foster, we sent them an application form, and we never hear from them again! All we want is that the cats are kept indoors in a non-smoking home or on a leash or in an enclosure outside. Is that too much to ask… and is it too much to expect the application form to be returned or at least a thanks, but no thanks…..

I live in Louisiana and recently had a discouraging experience with a small dog rescue. I wanted to adopt a chihauhau mix puppy, after our rescued 15 year terrier\chi passed away from natural causes. I think I have been a good pet owner, I had her for 15 years! When I went to their adoption event, filled out their pages of forms, a lady questioned me and made me feel like a liar. I answered her questions politely but she abruptly walked away. The last question was about fencing. I live in a rural area with acreage that is not fenced. I explained that I walked my dogs on a leash. I was stunned, when she said she had to do something else and left me standing there. My daughter witnessed this and she was livid. I am 62 yrs old, this woman wasn’t much younger than me but I got the impression that I was turned down from the moment I got there. The helpers were talking to the people who had kids with them, younger people,etc. I am home all day, my income is not fantastic ,around 70,000, enough to take of my pets, I get around better than 32 yr daughter. Why does a chi-mix need a fenced in yard? Thats why I don’t have big dogs. I had heard that another rescue in this area is really insultingly strict, so I wanted to try this one instead. I was good enough to adopt my little dog 15yrs ago, but not anymore. By the way we lived in the same house then but was told that since it was a small dog, fencing didn’t matter. I have to wonder about these groups, on facebook I saw that a rescue helper traveled 2 states away to deliver a puppy to someone . That puppy would have been able to get a home right here. They spend money to take a puppy to someone hundreds of miles away and turned down people here that would treat a dog like a member of the family forever. I am forced to buy a dog, because this rescue takes all small dogs from our local animal shelter, so unless I can get to it before they get them I won’t be able to adopt a small dog from there. I appreciate what rescues do, but please reconsider the one size fits all, biased attitude when it comes to deciding who is fit to adopt. I don’t understand the spay and neuter all animals policy either. They act like they don’t want ANYONE to breed dogs, if we did that there will be no dogs in 20yrs! I know puppy mills are terrible, letting your pets breed carelessly is not right, but you can have an unaltered animal without it reproducing. Not everyone should have to fit ito their perfect idea of what a pet owner should be. Until that happens, I will try to find and pay for a dog from someone who is not a puppymill owner. I can tell you and all the rescues out there that my new dog will have everything and then some that he needs. Unfortunately the dog that gets that required fenced yard may be sitting out there lonely and forgotten in that yard, who knows.

I found it awful dealing with these people. They are not good communicators and I’ve now started to look at getting a puppy from a breeder, rather than deal with this ridiculous criteria. I’ve had pets my whole life and was so insulted by how I’ve been treated.

This is happening in ON, Canada. Same problem. They don’t call back or reply to emails. Some of these people who own rescues have really good public jobs. So their really is no reason for bad behavior. If they don’t like your answers on the application, one wrong answer and they denied, meaning no email or phone back. They turned down people with good jobs. They try to force people to take the wrong breed or get offended when you are looking for a certain type of dog or puppies. It pisses them off. They feel if you are adopting you shouldn’t have requirements. You should take anyone they have and give them a loving home. Trying to find a loving home, they have gone over board now. Kinda snobby people. I worked with rescues here for 5 years and I have to stop because I found out how they work and it is disappointing. All these animals cats, dogs, rabbits, etc. are waiting for loving homes but recuses have made it impossible to adopt or foster. They get a high volume of numbers to foster or adopt and they turn them down if they are in a bad mood or they don’t like they way you look. Depends on the day and mood. Their is enough people wanting these animals to adopt but they want to look like they can’t find homes and have sad stories put up on Facebook so people feel sorry for the animals. In reality they can find homes for the animals but they turn people down for every reason. In every area all rescues places know each other and talk. If one turns down a family they give out the names to the others so they turn them down. It is horrible how they work. We adopted two dogs and took forever. We where looking for another one and we got turn down. For what reason we don’t know. I refuse to go to rescues now and if I ever help out again I’ll be the one creating one myself. That’s how they work, these are people wanting look important and feel important. At the end they have forgotten it is about the animal not themselves.

I can’t tell you how relieved I was to read this article. Our cat of 15 years, who showed no interest in the outside world, recently escaped our house. While we will continue to look for her, we are also looking for another cat. At this point, we honestly would take just about any cat. We miss our kitty!

We have been looking at shelter cats but have so many strikes against us: 3 children between 8 and 12, declawed our previous kitty (something we never plan to do again having learned more about it), and failing to take our indoor only cat for regular vet visits even though the vet visits caused her to get physically ill every time and lose massive amounts of fur days after. The whole process has left us feeling as if there was something wrong with us and hopeless.

Most annoying to me is that these shelters don’t even send a rejection letter/email. I completely understand why people resort to other means to obtain a pet. My husband and I are discussing it ourselves! We feel as if we provide our cat a loving home for the past 15 years and would like to love another cat for an equally long time.

Thanks for this article…I found it by googling “Why are rescue organizations so picky?”. I’ve been filling out numerous applications and getting ignored. I got one flat-out rejection and then was ignored when I replied asking what specific criteria the “Tracy’s Dogs” organization thought made me an undesirable candidate considering that I’m willing to give my love, my home AND pay $300 fee for the privilege.

To make matters worse, the dog I fell in love with is still listed as “available” a month after my rejection. I feel like she was “the one” and I’ll never get to adopt her. I can only guess that they rejected me because I work 8 hrs a day, but what am I supposed to do–quit my job so I can stay with her all day?? What a bunch of snots!

I lost my old dog in February, and am in the process of finding a new dog. I am a teacher, and will be home all day this summer while I transition the new dog into my home. I work regular, predictable 8-hour days, and am a devoted dog lover.

Here’s my advice, after two months of playing the “adopt from a rescue” game:

1) Find a very, very good rescue that has dogs fostered in your local area. Only fill out an application AFTER you know something about the group. There are an almost infinite number of “boutique” rescues these days, transporting dogs from places with overpopulation problems to those without. Each group has its own admissions procedure, but almost all require you to give references and personal information before they will even answer an e-mail about a dog. (For me, putting my vet and neighbors in line to get numerous nuisance e-mails or phone calls before I can even ask a question about a dog is problematic. I wish I hadn’t filled out the early applications, but rather had waited until I really knew something about the rescues.)

2) Be wary of the information rescue groups share. I went to meet a dog who was “shy” and “needed slow introductions to men.” This pretty much summed up my old boy, and I have 10 years’ experience in dealing with a fearful dog. I was led to a paddock where the “shy” dog was wrestling with another dog. When I (a woman) entered the field, the dog charged at me growling, and actually put teeth on my several times. (He didn’t bite, but he did hit me with his teeth, and he did grip my shorts.) To be fair, it’s possible the rescue hadn’t seen this behavior before – he was pulled from their listing page the next day. But surely they had observed something more than “shy” behavior from him – some indication that he was extremely fearful and possibly fear-aggressive. I’m disillusioned with the group now, and concerned that other “lovely” dogs on rescue pages are not so lovely. And I’m close to making a rule for myself that says, “Don’t adopt a distant dog you’ve never met,” even though I know lots of families who have done just that and been delighted.

3) Find a group that doesn’t have crazy expectations.

I work full-time. Every dog I’ve ever had in my life – childhood to adulthood – was home alone during the day, wandering the house, napping in the sun, looking out the window. But as I apply to rescue groups now, it seems that working full-time is a crime. Dogs must only go to families where the couple works staggered hours, or is retired. My previous dogs got two long walks a day, and were with me for all of the 16 hours when I wasn’t at work… while some dogs in families where the people are home get far less exercise and far less interaction.

4) Avoid the crazy. A significant minority of rescue workers have a messiah complex: they think that their job is to protect the dog from the less-qualified masses who want the dog. So beautiful dogs end up in foster care (sometimes with hoarders) for months and years at a time. If you get the “crazy” read from any group, stop interacting with them. There are plenty of dogs available elsewhere.

I have had success with several rescues, who recognize me as a great potential home for a shy dog – despite my daring to work! But I’m just as likely to take a dog from my local shelter, because I can meet the dog, I’m not held to unrealistic standards, and the process is quick and efficient.

I’m going through something like this right now with a horse rescue. I’ve had horses my entire life and they told me I don’t have enough experience with “that breed” , dude! I broke my own horses and trained them myself. Now I’m forced to just buy one when I could’ve adopted and provided a great home. It’s crazy.

It’s so cathartic to read so many other people having the same problems I have been having! @annie : I appreciate your advice to just back away from the crazies.

The trouble I have, however, is that I am trying to pick a dog that is a good match for another dog I already have. That dog (Jean-Luc, 1 year old) was a rescue from a very reasonable organization in my area, but now I’m trying to find a similar size & age of dog with a personality that will fit in with him nicely. It was easier last time when I was less specific, but now we are wanting something more specific, and it means that we are needing to communicate with organizations around our province (Ontario). We are finding that most rescues will only deal with someone if they can do a home visit, and therefore you have to be close to them.

There is nobody in our area (we are rural, with a very low population in the area) who has anything even close to what we are looking for right now. But in other parts of Ontario, there are at least 10 dogs in rescues that I’m really interested in, but none of those organizations reply to my applications or communications, presumably either due to the distance issue, or because we don’t have a fenced in yard (those are our two huge horrific sins as potential dog owners!)

Like others have written here, it’s incredible that they don’t even bother to contact you back. In terms of the distance issue, I’ve volunteered to provide video tours of my home, or photo documentation of every corner of the place. We live in a large 3-storey country home on a beautiful large wooded lot with forest or farmland on all sides. Our dogs live inside with the full run of the house, and get numerous walks. We are experienced dog owners, having adopted four dogs over the past 20 years (two of them are still with us now). Our dogs are the centre of life in our family, and we spare no expense in all aspects of their care.

I don’t claim to be the perfect dog owners, but I think our dogs live pretty good lives with us. It’s so sad that the sanctimonious attitude of so many rescue groups prevents us from even being considered due to whatever factor they aren’t communicating to us.

I am honestly sick and tired of reading about the fact that 4 millions dogs are killed in shelters each year, so we should really consider adopting a rescue! FINE, we WANT to do that, we are READY to do that, and we have more than enough time, love and resources to give an amazing home to our dogs, but the flippin’ rescue organizations put up so many roadblocks to make it impossible. Don’t you dare preach at me about how many dogs are killed, if you’re going to turn around and tell me I’m not worthy of saving any of them!!

Somebody earlier on this thread took the side of the rescues and asked why people wouldn’t be willing to wait a bit longer in order to be sure that the right dog goes to the right family? I get that, but as so many other people have already stated here, it is a matter of DEGREE. That’s where so many rescue people have lost their perspective. Everyone agrees there need to be protocols and care taken to avoid a dog falling into a bad home, but when those protocols become so onerous that MANY good potential adoptive families just give up, there is clearly a BIG problem.

To any organizer of dog rescues reading this post: I thank you for your time and dedication to dogs, but I make this challenge to you. If you are refusing more than 50% of people who apply to you, and doing it on single-factors like not having a fenced-in yard, you need to ask yourself this: which is better, allowing a dog to live in a family where they are walked on a leash, or allowing another dog to die in a shelter because you weren’t yet ready to adopt out the first dog and make space for that other dog? My point is, don’t hide behind saying that you have the luxury of finding the ‘right home’ for that first dog, and ignore the fact that turning down three good solid adoptive families means three more dogs have been killed in shelters while you sit back and wait for the perfect fit.

So, having just about given up hope for a rescue or shelter dog that matches what we are looking for (basically our conditions are having a young small breed female dog with short hair), we are soon going to start consulting breeders and, as a result, we will be adding to the overall dog population!! Uggh, terrible, but we want a dog!!!

One other footnote: my wife and I have two daughters… and both are ADOPTED!! And guess what, our adoption applications for our human children were straight-forward and expeditious… our calls were always returned, and we only needed to do just two applications, because BOTH of our first two applications were ACCEPTED!!! Sorry, rescue people, some of you need to give your head a shake!

Does anyone know why some organizations will only consider candidates from their area? I found a dog I’m interested in adopting but the organization clearly states on their website that their animals are only available for adoption to individuals in the Region of Durham area. I don’t live in that area but don’t understand why they would refuse to let me adopt if I drove there myself. I get that a home visit would be difficult if the organization isn’t willing to drive to my location, but I can always make a video tour of my house and yard (which is fenced). Would that not be acceptable? It just seems like they are limiting the possibilities of animals to be adopted by making restrictions on who can adopt from them.